The Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for the United Kingdom (UK) is convenient and accessible for visa-free visitors entering England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
Citizens who do not need a visa to travel to the UK can quickly complete and pay for the ETA application online to receive their digital travel permit. However, an easy task becomes more prone to mistakes if done haphazardly.
To avoid common mistakes, follow these guidelines for a swift and efficient UK ETA online application.
Apply for your UK ETA in advance.
Visa-exempt travelers must apply for an ETA in advance to avoid delays, cancellations, or rebooking their travel to the UK.
The UK ETA application process typically takes three days (72 hours) for an applicant to receive a decision, whether approval or denial. Many travelers receive a decision within minutes of submitting their application. Still, some applications may take longer than three days to process.
Without an approved ETA, carriers will not allow you to board your flight, ship, or train to the UK. Even if you have already applied and are just waiting for your ETA application decision, you will still be denied boarding.
Filling out the ETA application form
The UK ETA application is entirely online. It takes about 10 to 16 minutes to complete. While the process should be quick and easy, following the guidelines below could help avoid many errors when filling out the application form.
Have your ETA requirements ready.
Like other online visa or visa waiver application platforms, the UK ETA online application system has a timeout period. Once you click the link and start the process, complete your application as soon as possible.
To help you do this, ready your requirements and place them within reach as you start the application process. Requirements for the UK ETA include your passport, recent passport photo, valid email address, and accepted online payment method.
Your session will expire if you stay inactive on the website for 20 minutes, and you will need to restart the process — an unnecessary delay. You must fill in all the required information again, as the website does not save any previously entered or submitted data during a canceled session.
Review and double-check the data you provide.
Read through every question at least twice to ensure you understand what is being asked of you. Ensure you upload the correct file for your passport scan and recent photo. Then, before submitting your application, carefully review all the information you provided.
Double-check the details, such as passport numbers and travel itinerary, to ensure they match your physical documents. Simple mistakes, such as a character or number, can discredit your application.
Always be accurate and truthful in your responses.
The ETA aims to improve border security by pre-screening visa-free travelers before they arrive in the UK. The data you submit in your application will be cross-verified across multiple security databases, so always answer all questions honestly and as accurately as possible to the best of your knowledge.
Do not provide false information or data you think will increase your chances of getting approved. Any irregularities in your application form can lead to delays or a denial of your UK ETA.
Paying for your UK ETA application
Each UK ETA application costs £10. You need to pay for the application online to be able to submit it. The platform currently only accepts credit or debit cards, as well as Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Ensure you use an accepted online payment method with no restrictions and that you have sufficient funds to pay for your ETA application. Accurately input the details such as credit card or debit card number, name on the card, expiration date, and CVV code to avoid errors.
Final reminders
The ETA will be digitally linked to your passport, so make sure you travel to the UK with the same passport you used in your application, in case you have more than one.
Try to steer clear of any legal issues before your trip to the UK, as it can affect your ETA. Even if you have already received an approved travel permit, authorities can still revoke or cancel your ETA if new information pops up when your passport is scanned at the border.
George Bobr
I am a Canadian passport holder and my wife has a Japanese passport. We are planning to visit England and Scotland this June. Do we need a UK eta?
UK-ETA.com Admin
Hi, George.
Currently, no. You and your wife do not need an ETA to visit the UK.
However, Canadian and Japanese passport holders will soon need an ETA once the UK government rolls out the scheme for all travelers who can visit the UK without a visa.
Check back here at https://uk-eta.com to keep up to date with announcements on the UK ETA implementation.
Lucia Edwards
Hello,
My Brazilian sister needs an ETA to visit me in the U.K.? If so can I fill in the form oh her behalf her as she doesn’t speak English?
Also she only works part time as as a self employed as she received pension of my niece death does she needs to prove of that.
Many thanks
Kind regards,
Lucia Edwards
UK-ETA.com Admin
Hi Lucia,
It depends on when your sister will visit the UK. Currently, only citizens of Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are required to have an ETA before visiting the UK.
However, if your sister holds a Brazilian passport, she may soon need an ETA once the UK government rolls out the scheme for all travelers who can visit the UK without a visa.
Yes, you can apply for an ETA on your sister’s behalf when the system opens to Brazilian passport holders.
Your sister needs to demonstrate that she is financially capable of supporting herself during her visit to the UK. Although the ETA application form does not require information about the traveler’s financial capacity, your sister may be required to provide proof upon arrival at the UK border. If you plan to financially support your sister during her visit to the UK, she must be able to present documentation confirming this.
Check back here at https://uk-eta.com to keep up to date with announcements on the UK ETA implementation.
Roy
Hi, i’m a Taiwanese passport holder, i will visit England few days in May, should i apply for a UK EAT?
UK-ETA.com Admin
Hi, Roy.
Currently, no. You do not need an ETA to visit the UK this May.
However, Taiwanese passport holders will soon need an ETA once the UK government rolls out the scheme for all travelers who can visit the UK without a visa.
Check back here at https://uk-eta.com to keep up to date with announcements on the UK ETA implementation.
Fidel Claudio
Helllo! My wife and I are Canadian citizens and have valid canadian passports. Do we need ETA to travel to Scotland and Ireland? Thank you!
UK-ETA.com Admin
Hi Fidel,
Currently, no. You do not need an ETA to visit Scotland, Northern Ireland, or the rest of the UK.
However, Canadians will soon need an ETA once the UK government rolls out the scheme for all travelers who can visit the UK without a visa.
You must also check the entry requirements for Canadian passport holders visiting the Republic of Ireland, an independent and separate country from the UK.
Check back here at https://uk-eta.com to keep up to date with announcements on the UK ETA implementation.
Annie
Hi I am a Taiwanese passport holder. I will visit London in early June (June 7-9). Do I need an ETA to visit this June?
UK-ETA.com Admin
Hi Annie,
Currently, no. You do not need an ETA to visit the London this June.
However, Taiwanese passport holders will soon need an ETA once the UK government rolls out the scheme for all travelers who can visit the UK without a visa.
Check back here at https://uk-eta.com to keep up to date with announcements on the UK ETA implementation.
Robin
I’m a Canadian passport holder travelling to the UK for 63 days, arriving July 1st 2024. Do I need an ETA? It says here that I do, but you are telling everyone who asks here that they do not currently need to apply for one… do I need to? Or not? Thank you
UK-ETA.com Admin
Hi Robin,
Currently, no. You do not need an ETA to visit the UK this July.
However, Canadian passport holders will soon need an ETA for short visits of up to six months in the UK once the British government rolls out the scheme for all travelers who can visit the UK without a visa. According to the latest published guidance, it plans to do so in 2024, probably later in the year.
Check back here at https://uk-eta.com to keep up to date with announcements on the UK ETA implementation.
Rachel Le Maitre
Hi travelling from New Zealand to Uk on holiday for 2 weeks do we need ETA yet? Many thanks
UK-ETA.com Admin
Hi Rachel,
It depends on the country that issued your passport whether it has a visa waiver status with the UK.
If you hold a New Zealand-issued passport, you do not currently need an ETA to visit the UK.
However, New Zealand passport holders will soon need an ETA once the UK government rolls out the scheme for all travelers who can visit the UK without a visa.
Check back here at https://uk-eta.com to keep up to date with announcements on the UK ETA implementation.
Catherine
Hi….travelling from Malaysia this July 2024 for 2 weeks vacation.
Do I need to apply for ETA to enter UK
UK-ETA.com Admin
Hi Catherine,
It depends on the country that issued your passport whether it has a visa waiver status with the UK.
If you hold a passport issued by Malaysia, you do not currently need an ETA to visit the UK.
However, Malaysian passport holders will soon need an ETA once the UK government rolls out the scheme for all travelers who can visit the UK without a visa.
Check back here at https://uk-eta.com to keep up to date with announcements on the UK ETA implementation.
Axel Maldonado
Hello,
I am a Mexican citizen planning to visit UK the next month. Do I need an ETA?
UK-ETA.com Admin
Hi Axel,
Currently, no. You do not need an ETA to visit the UK in August 2024.
However, Mexican pasport holders will soon need an ETA for short visits of up to six months in the UK once the government rolls out the scheme for all travelers who can visit the UK without a visa.
Check back here at https://uk-eta.com to keep up to date with announcements on the UK ETA implementation.